Razor Plumes: Like before, they target a stone pillar or guy, and will explode dealing damage after a set time.

Spiny Plumes: The “Key” add to this fight. Upon killing it, releases an AoE which causes Windburn (Wind DoT). A short time after it’s death – it will put up a “Safe Zone” wherein Garudas Reckoning will do significantly less damage to those inside. The initial target of Spiny Plume seems to be the second Highest Enmity (and in some rare cases – the MT).

Spiny Plumes give a stacking debuff to its target. If it reaches 3 stacks it will do “Super Cyclone” dealing tons of damage (Likely a KO) to everyone. Provoking the Spiny Plume before its target reaches 3 stacks is important, and is one of the main reasons many groups will wipe.

Garuda EX Phase 1 – Stone Pillars

Reminiscent of Garuda Story and Hard Mode. Nothing special here. The first sub-phase, every non-melee should be in dead-center of the pillars. Preserving the stones are your goal for this phase. It has 3 Sub-phases:

Razor Plumes – Razor Plumes show up and target random rocks. Kill them asap. Again try to stack in the middle as much as possible, with the exception of tank and melee. This mini-phase has the usual “Vortex” mechanic.

Initial Adds – The first time adds spawn. You should memorize what to do here, for the next time adds spawn:

MT picks up Suparna(Red) and Garuda.

OT picks up Chirada.

Chirada must be tanked ACROSS the map from the others. If they’re too near each other -> they gain immense defense.

Ranged DPS and healers should stay in a place where friction wont hit rocks.

There are things you have to note here:

Downburst will hit the OT for heavy damage, but shouldn’t be much of an issue.

On the MT side, WICKED WHEEL becomes a “one hit KO”. Make sure melee DPS and MT avoid this. Using virus on both Garuda and Suparna is a good “insurance” in case tank gets hit. All forms of damage reduction / mitigation should be used in preparation.

Chirada uses Downburst simultaneously with the Wicked Wheel on the other side. This always happens after Friction!

If you have enough rocks alive, Reckoning shoudn’t kill you! On to the next phase…

Garuda EX Phase 2 – Vortex

Wind surrounds the outer ring of the stage, and players should remain near the middle, or suffer a pushback + large damage.

Spiny Plume makes its first appearance here, along with a bunch of Razor Plumes. Your goals here are simple:

Kill all Razor Plumes

Leave Spiny Plume at a low HP%.

A rather simple phase, with no heavy incoming damage. A great time to use Mages Ballad, as you’ll be needing max DPS next phase.

Once Garuda disappears, destroy the Spiny Plume and seek refuge inside the safe-zone it generates. (Remember to avoid the initial death AoE of spiny plumes)

Garuda EX Phase 3 – Tornado

5 Tornados spawn in static locations on the map, forming a cross-like (T) formation. The safe spots are located near the brown markings on the map (Where the pillars used to be).

Chirada and Suparna show up during this phase. As usual, MT takes both Garuda and Suparna. Off-tank takes Chirada. And again, Suparna should be the first target. There are some things to note during this phase. The main difference in this phase is Tornadoes + Spiny Plumes.

The MT’s position should be loose enough that the melee dps and himself can get away from the “Double Wicked Wheels”.

Healers and Ranged DPS should stay at the very tip of the center tornado, to be in range of everyone.

Like last phase, leave Spiny Plume at a low HP%, and destroy it at phase transition.

There are four safe pockets – Ranged and healers should have a good spread.

Travelling between “safe-zones” through tornadoes can be done using the following:

Sprinting along the edges (Recommended for casters…)

Dragoon jumps

Monk Shoulder Tackle.

Remember not to kill the Spiny Plume too early, or too late!

If you pass this phase, You go back to the Vortex Phase -> Tornado Phase -> Vortex Phase, repeats until Garuda is dead!